Drum-brush and a vacuum cleaner having the same

ABSTRACT

A drum brush having a drum rotation body, a pair of bearing holders, a pair of bearings, a shaft, a pair of end-caps and pressing rings, includes bristle tufts, and the pair of bearing holders are provided to be connected to or integrally formed with both ends of the drum rotation body. A pair of bearings, each having an inner race and an outer race, are connected to each of the bearing holders. The shaft penetrates each of the inner races of the bearings and is connected to the end-cap at either end. The pressing ring is interposed between each bearing holder and each bearing to prevent rotation of the outer race. Accordingly, when the drum rotation body rotates, the bearing holder is not damaged by frictional contact with the bearing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner and moreparticularly,.relates to a drum-brush having an improved structure, anda vacuum cleaner using the same.

2. Description of the Background Art

Conventional vacuum cleaners draw in dust and foreign substances from asurface being cleaned using a high vacuum pressure generated by aninternal motor. Vacuum cleaners can largely be classed intoupright-type, canister-type, and stick-type vacuum cleaners, accordingto their structure and general appearance.

FIG. 1 shows an upright vacuum cleaner as an example of a conventionalvacuum cleaner. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional upright vacuumcleaner comprises a cleaner body 10 having a dust collection chamber 10a and a motor driving chamber (not shown), and a suction port body 20connected to a lower part of the cleaner body 10. The dust collectionchamber 10 a is in fluid communication with the motor driving chamberand a suction port 20, and has therein a dust bag that filters out thedust from the air that is drawn into the suction port 20 a. In the motordriving chamber, a suction motor 40 is mounted to generate a vacuum.When the suction motor 40 (shown in phantom) is driven, a vacuum isgenerated in the dust collection chamber 10 a, and air and entraineddust are drawn into the dust bag in the dust collection chamber 10 athrough the suction port 20 a. Then, the air flows out of the dust bag,while the dust is collected therein. The cleaned air is discharged to adischarge unit 11, after passing through the motor driving chamber.

A housing 21 of the suction port body 20 houses a drum brush 100 abovethe suction port 20 a. The drum brush 100 agitates the surface beingcleaned and loosens dirt and dust embedded in the surface being cleaned.The drum brush is normally rotated by a driving source, such as a motoror a turbine apparatus mounted in the suction port body 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drum brush 100 comprises a drum rotation body110, a shaft 140 and a bearing holder 120, a bearing 130, and an end-cap150 at each end of the drum rotation body 110. A spiral brush member 111is attached to an outer circumference of the drum rotation body 110, anda driving belt 30 (FIG. 1) is connected adjacent one side of the outercircumference of the drum rotation body 110. A bearing holder 120 issecurely inserted, one in each end of the drum rotation body 110, and awasher 160 is inserted in each bearing holder 120. Each bearing 130comprises an outer race 131 and an inner race 132. The shaft 140penetrates through the center of the drum rotation body 110 so that anend is inserted in the inner race 132 of the bearings 130. End-caps 150are connected, one each to both of the ends of the drum rotation body110. In the center of each end cap 150, a shaft-receiving hole 150 a isdisposed to be engaged with an opposed end of the shaft 140.

As shown in FIG. 3, the end-cap 150 is connected to the housing 21, andthe shaft 140 extends through the inner race 132, and is connected to anend of the end-cap 150. As a result, the end-cap 150, the shaft 140 andthe inner race 132, in combination, form a stationary assembly by beingfixed relative to the housing 21, and the outer race 131, the bearingholder 120 and the drum rotation body 110, in combination, form arotating assembly. The washer 160, which is inserted between the bearingholder 120 and axial surface of the bearing 130, secures the outer race131 of the bearing 130 to the bearing holder 120. Therefore, when thedriving belt 30 (FIG. 1) operates to rotate the drum rotation body 110,the combination of the drum rotation body 110, the bearing holder 120and the outer race 131 all rotate with respect to the shaft 140.

However, in the conventional drum brush 100 having the aboveconstruction, the outer race 131 of the bearing 130 may rotate withinits seat in an inner circumference of the bearing holder 120, or mayrotate together with the bearing holder 120 within its seat, due tovibration caused by the rotation of the drum rotation body 110.Therefore, frictional heat may be generated between bearing holder 120and the outer race 131. When used for an extended period of time, thebearing holder 120, which may be made of a plastic or other similarmaterials, becomes worn out and may be damaged by the heat. Furthermore,the drum rotation body 110 may vibrate due to eccentric motion whenrotating. Thus, what is needed is a mechanism that will retain thestationary parts stationary relative to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the aboveproblems and disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a drum brush, which does not cause damage to the bearing holder,by preventing the outer race of a bearing inserted in the bearing holderfrom rotating, for use in a vacuum cleaner.

In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the presentinvention, there is provided a drum brush having a drum rotation body, apair of bearing holders, a pair of bearings, a shaft, and a pair ofend-caps and pressing rings. The drum rotation body includes a brushmember, and a pair of bearing holders is provided in to be connected oneto each end of the drum rotation body. The bearings each comprise aninner race and an outer race, which are connected to each of the bearingholders. The shaft penetrates each of the inner races of the bearingsand is connected to the end-caps at either end. A pressing ring isinterposed between each of the bearing holders and the bearings toprevent rotation of the outer races.

In the drum brush of the above construction, the pressing rings maycomprise a body plate, and at least one pressing protrusion formed onthe body plate.

The pressing protrusion preferably protrudes toward an innercircumference of the pressing ring.

A fixing protrusion is preferably provided on an outer circumference ofthe pressing ring.

The pressing ring is preferably made of stainless steel.

A fixing rib is included in each bearing holder, which tightly contactsthe outer race of the associated bearing.

A locking groove is preferably formed inside the end of the drumrotation body, and a corresponding locking protrusion is formed on anouter circumference of the bearing holder for insertion into the lockinggroove.

In a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body in which a vacuumgenerating device for generating a suction force, and a dust collectionchamber for collecting dust are provided, a suction port body having asuction port connected to the dust collection chamber, and a drum brushrotatably mounted to the suction port body, the drum brush comprises adrum rotation body, a pair of bearing holders, a pair of bearings, ashaft, and a pair of end-caps and pressing rings. The pressing rings areinterposed between each of the bearing holders and the bearings in orderto prevent rotation of the outer races of the bearings.

The drum rotation body and the bearing holder may be integrated to savethe number of component parts and manufacturing processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above object and other features of the present invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional upright vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a conventional drum brush;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the drum brush shown in FIG. 2 in anassembled state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of a drum brush according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixing ring of the drum brushaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the drum brush according to an embodimentof the present invention in an assembled state;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a drumbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a drum brush as completely assembled,according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing figures, it will be understood that identical referencenumerals refer to identical or like elements, features and structuresbetween the different drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, an embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. Further, inreferring to the elements having the same structure and operation asthat described relating to the prior art, the elements will beidentified by the same reference numerals throughout the drawingfigures.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inventive drum brush 200 according to anembodiment of the present invention comprises a drum rotation body 210,a bearing holder 220, a bearing 230, a shaft 240, an end-cap 250 and apressing ring 260. The bearing holder 220, the bearing 230, the shaft240, the end-cap 250 and the pressing ring 260, respectively, are shownat one end of the drum brush 200. However, it is understood that theelements are provided in pairs for inserting at both ends of the drumrotation body 210. It will be understood that a mirror image of theconnection structure illustrated and described is disposed at the otherend of the drum rotation body 210. However, since the shape and functionof such mirror image will be fully understood from the followingdescription, it will not be further described or illustrated.

The drum rotation body 210 comprises one or more spirally disposed rowsof bristle tufts 211, which are connected along an outer circumferenceof the body 210 to loosen and dislodge dust on a surface being cleaned.At least one locking groove 212 is provided on the inner surface of theend of the drum rotation body 210. A plurality of locking grooves 212can be provided, as shown in FIG. 4. When a plurality of the lockinggrooves 212 are provided, intervals between the respective lockinggrooves 212 are preferably uniform. An annularly shaped belt connectionpart 213 is formed at one side of the outer circumference of the drumrotation body 210, preferably adjacent one of the ends, as shown. Thebelt connection part 213 is used for engagement with the driving belt 30(FIG. 1), which is connected to transmit a rotational driving force tothe drum rotation body 210.

A bearing holder 220 is disposed at each end of the drum rotation body210. The bearing holder 220 has one or more spaced locking protrusions221 for engagement with the locking grooves 212 of the drum rotationbody 210. The bearing 230 includes an outer race 231 and an inner race232, and is mounted in the bearing holder 220, which is connected to anend of the drum rotation body 210. Inside the bearing holder 220, afixing rib 222 (FIG. 6) is provided to be in tight contact with thebearing 230 so as to prevent relative axial motion between the bearingholder and the outer race 231 of the bearing 230. The fixing rib 222tightly contacts the outer race 231 of the bearing 230, therebyreinforcing engagement between the bearing holder 220 and the outer race231.

The shaft 240 is mounted in the drum rotation body 210 so that an endthereof protrudes beyond the end of the drum rotation body 210. A firstknurled portion 241 is formed at the end of the shaft 240. The shaft 240is forcibly inserted in the inner race 232 of the bearing 230 to form aninterference fit therebetween as shown in FIG. 6, and the end of theshaft 240 protrudes from the inner race 232 to be connected to theend-cap 250 by engagement therewith.

The end-cap 250 covers an end of the drum rotation body 210, andsupports the inner race 232 -of the bearing 230 and the shaft 240. Aboss 251 (FIG. 6) protrudes inwardly in the center of the end-cap 250,and a connection hole 251 a is formed in the boss 251, to which the endof the shaft 240 is inserted. On an inner circumference of the boss 251,a second knurled portion 252 is provided, corresponding to the firstknurling portion 241 for engagement therewith. When the shaft 240 isinserted in the connection hole 251 a, the second knurled portion 252tightly contacts the first knurled portion 241 in an interference fit,and the shaft 240 is fixed to the end-cap 250. The boss 251 also tightlycontacts the inner race 232 of the bearing 230, and retains its relativeposition as a result of frictional force.

The pressing ring 260 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5, andcomprises an annular body plate 261 formed by curving an elongated metalband, and a plurality of pressing protrusions 262, protruding toward aninner circumference of the body plate 261. The pressing protrusions 262may be formed by pressing of the body plate 261. The shape of thepressing protrusions can vary, and it is not limited to a square orfrustum, as shown in FIG. 5. On an outer circumference of the body plate261, one or more fixing protrusions 263 are formed, which also may beformed by pressing of the body plate 261. The pressing ring 260 ispreferably made of a stainless steel having high strength and resistanceagainst corrosion that may otherwise result from possible oil leakingfrom the bearing 230.

The pressing ring 260 is interposed between an inner annular surface ofthe bearing holder 220 and the outer race 231 of the bearing 230, asshown in FIG. 6, and the outer race 231 is fixed to the bearing holder220. Since the fixing protrusions 263 (FIG. 5) of the pressing ring 260tightly contact an inner circumference of the bearing holder 230, thepressing holder 260 cannot easily be withdrawn from the bearing holder220.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the bearing holder 220 may be integrally formed with thedrum rotation body 210. Same drawing reference numerals are used for thesame elements as in the previous embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drum brush 300 comprises a drum rotation body310, a bearing holder 320, the bearing 230, the shaft 240, the end-cap250 and the pressing ring 260. The bearing holder 320 is integrallyformed with both ends of the drum rotation body 310, thereby supportingthe outer race 231 of the bearing 230. Inside the bearing holder 320, afixing rib 322 (FIG. 8) is provided in tight contact with the bearing230. The fixing rib 222 tightly contacts the outer race 231 of thebearing 230, thereby reinforcing engagement between the bearing holder220 and the outer race 231.

After assembly, the drum brush 200 and 300 is mounted in a housing 21 ofa suction port body 20 (FIG. 1), with the end-cap 250 fixed to thehousing 21, with a brush member 211 protruding out of a suction port 20a (FIG. 1) extending underneath the housing 21, as shown in FIG. 6.Because the end-cap 250 is fixed so as to avoid rotation, the shaft 240and the inner race 232 are also fixed in place. The outer race 231, thebearing holder 220 and 320 and the drum rotation body 210 and 310altogether constitute a rotating assembly, which rotates with respect tothe shaft 240.

During operation, a suction motor 40 (FIG. 1) in the cleaner body isdriven, thereby generating a vacuum pressure in a dust-collectionchamber. Additionally, the drum rotation body 210 and 310 (FIG. 4) isrotated by a driving force applied through a driving belt 30 (as shownin FIG. 1), extending from the motor or a turbine provided in thesuction port body 20 of the vacuum cleaner. The dust lying on a surfacebeing cleaned under the suction port 20 a is loosened and dislodged bythe brush member 211 of the drum rotation body 210 and 310, and is thendrawn into the suction port 20 a.

When the drum rotation body 210 and 310 rotates, the pressing ring 260between the bearing holder 220 and 320 and the outer race 231 inhibitsthe relative rotation of the bearing holder 220 and 320 with respect tothe outer race 231. Therefore, the drum rotation body 210 and 310 canrotate in a stable manner.

As can be appreciated from the above description and by the illustratedembodiments of the present invention, the pressing ring 260 is providedto prevent the bearing holder 220 and 320 and the outer race 231 fromrotating relative to each other. As a result, rotation of the drumrotation body 210 and 310 does not cause abrasion or damage to thebearing holder 220 and 320.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the drum rotation body210 and 310 is inhibited from eccentric vibration when rotating.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, since the drumrotation body and the bearing holder are integrally formed with eachother, the number of component parts and manufacturing processes can bereduced, thereby improving productivity of the drum brush.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

1. A drum brush comprising: a drum rotation body comprising a pluralityof bristle tufts disposed on the circumference thereof; a bearing holdermounted at an end of the drum rotation body; a bearing mounted in thebearing holder, the bearing comprising an outer race and an inner race;a shaft inserted in the inner race of the bearing; an end-cap connectedto and supporting an end of the shaft; and a pressing ring interposedbetween the bearing holder and the bearing.
 2. The drum brush of claim1, wherein the bearing holder is integrally formed with the drumrotation body.
 3. The drum brush of claim 1, wherein the pressing ringcomprises: a body plate; and at least one pressing protrusion formed onthe body plate.
 4. The drum brush of claim 1, wherein the pressing ringcomprises: a body plate; and at least one pressing protrusion formed onthe body plate.
 5. The drum brush of claim 3, wherein the pressingprotrusion protrudes toward an inner circumference of the pressing ring.6. The drum brush of claim 1 further comprising at least one fixingprotrusion formed toward an outer circumference of the pressing ring. 7.The drum brush of claim 1, wherein the pressing ring is made ofstainless steel.
 8. The drum brush of claim 1, wherein the bearingholder comprises a fixing rib formed therein, which is in tight contactwith the outer race of the bearing.
 9. The drum brush of claim 1,wherein a locking groove is formed inside the end of the drum rotationbody, and a corresponding locking protrusion is formed on an outercircumference of the bearing holder for insertion into the lockinggroove.
 10. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body having a vacuumgenerating device for generating a suction force, and a dust collectionchamber for collecting dust, a suction port body having a suction portconnected to the dust collection chamber, and a drum brush rotatablymounted to the suction port body, the drum brush comprising: a drumrotation body having a plurality of bristle tufts disposed on thecircumference thereof; a bearing holder mounted at an end of the drumrotation body; a bearing mounted in the bearing holder, the bearinghaving an outer race and an inner race; a shaft inserted in the innerrace of the bearing; an end-cap connected to and supporting an end ofthe shaft, and being connected to the suction port body; and a pressingring interposed between the bearing holder and the bearing.
 11. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the bearing holder is integrallyformed with the drum rotation body.
 12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10,wherein the pressing ring comprises: a body plate; and at least onepressing protrusion formed on the body plate.
 13. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 11, wherein the pressing ring comprises: a body plate; and atleast one pressing protrusion formed on the body plate.
 14. The vacuumcleaner of claim 13, wherein the pressing protrusion protrudes toward aninner circumference of the pressing ring.
 15. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, further comprising at least one fixing protrusion formedtoward an outer circumference of the pressing ring.
 16. The vacuumcleaner of claim 10, wherein the pressing ring is made of stainlesssteel.
 17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the bearing holdercomprises a fixing rib formed therein, which is in tight contact withthe outer race of the bearing.
 18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10,wherein a locking groove is formed inside the end of the drum rotationbody, and a corresponding locking protrusion is formed on an outercircumference of the bearing holder for insertion into the lockinggroove.